Instagram story background color without covering photo


  • There are two ways to change the background color of your Instagram Story.
  • If you're posting a photo or video to your Instagram Story, you can change the background color with the Draw tool.
  • If you're just using the Create feature, there's a selection of preset background colors to choose from.

You can customize your Instagram Story in a number of ways, including changing the background color.

Specifically, there's two major ways to change your Story's background color. Which one you use will depend on whether you want to include a photo or video with your Story, or just text and stickers.

Here's how to change your Instagram Story background color in both ways.

How to change your Instagram Story background color if it has an image or video

Most Instagram Stories include a picture. But unless that picture fills up the entire screen, there's going to be some blank spaces in the background.

You can change this background color using the Draw tool. This method is a bit imprecise, but it does work, and lets you pick pretty much any color you want.

1. Open Instagram and tap the Your story icon in the top-left, then select the photo or video that you want to upload.

2. Tap the three dot icon in the top-right corner, then select Draw.

You'll find "Draw" on the page that lets you choose who can see your Story. Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

3. Toolbars will appear at the top and bottom of the screen. Tap the left-most option in the top toolbar (it looks like a pencil tip), and pick the color that you want from the bottom toolbar.

4. Tap and hold your finger anywhere on the screen. After a second, the entire screen will fill with the color you chose.

5. Now tap the right-most option in the top toolbar to turn on the eraser. Drag your finger across the screen to wipe away the color covering your photo or video. 

This can be a messy process, so go slow and remember to use the Undo button in the top-left. You can also use the slider on the left to make your brush bigger or smaller.

Once you've erased the background, you might want to use the pen again to fill in any blank spots. Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

Once you're done, go ahead and add any stickers or captions that you want, then post it.

How to change your Instagram Story background color with the Create tool

The other way that most people make Instagram Stories is using the Create tool. This feature gives you templates that you can use to quickly post a poll, timer, GIF, and more. The big difference is that it doesn't let you include photos or videos.

And unlike the method above, the Create tool has a feature that lets you change background colors built right into it. Here's how to use it.

1. Open Instagram and swipe to the right to turn on the camera, and then select the Aa Create option on the left.

"Create" should be the first option. Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

2. A page will appear where you can pick your Story's template. You'll also notice a small bubble appear in the bottom-right corner — tap this bubble to cycle through background colors.

There are about a dozen background color options to choose from. Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

3. When you find one that you like, choose your Story's template and fill it all out. Once you're ready, post it.

You can also use the Draw tool method here too. Once you've finished making your Story and get to the page that lets you choose who can see it, tap the three dot icon in the top-right and select Draw. All the same steps work.

William Antonelli

Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews

William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .

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How to Change Background on Instagram Story?

Instagram is a prominent platform whether you are trying to expand your business or just sharing attractive random scenic pictures. Instagram stories are a great way to relinquish a large audience, but you have to make sure that your stories are well articulated. There are different ways to set a story on Instagram, here are is how to change the background in insta story:

How to Change Background Color On Instagram Story With Picture?

This is an easy technique that can be practiced easily via Apple phones, here is how to change the background color on the Instagram story with a picture: 

  1. Select the photo on Instagram that you'd like to add to your story.

  2. Click the paper airplane icon underneath the photo to share it on your story. A pop-up will appear.

  3. Click "Add post to your story."

  4. Tap the pen icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and select a color.

  5. Next, tap and hold on the screen for 1-3 seconds until the screen is filled with a solid color.

  6. Open Instagram Stories and take a photo or upload one from your camera roll.

  7. Once your photo is in, tap the pen icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and select a color.

  8. Next, tap and long-press the screen for 1-3 seconds until the screen is filled with a solid color.

  9. Tap the eraser icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen and select the size of the eraser using the slider on the left-hand side of the screen.

  10. Now tap or swipe on the screen where you would like to reveal the underlying image.

  11. And that’s it! If you’re looking to persuade your audience and share just a tiny highlight of your story, this Instagram Stories hack should come in useful.

How To Change Background Color On Instagram Story When Reposting?

When you share a post to your Instagram Stories, Instagram automatically sets a background color. This is based on the general color of the post that you are sharing. So if you are sharing a post that contains a lot of greenery, your background will be set to a shade of green.

  1. Once you have shared the post to your story, tap the ‘Draw’ button in the top panel.

  2. Now select the ‘Sharpie’ tool.

  3. Tap the color that you would like to set as your background from the palette at the bottom.

  4. Now tap and hold your finger anywhere over the background. Your background will change to the selected color.

How To Change Background On Instagram Story Without Covering Photo?

Although Instagram does not let you actually change this background, you can use a trick to set a fun filter for your photo!

  1. To set a colored filter, pinch out of your photo to reveal your background (if you want to).

  2. Now tap the ‘Draw’ button in the top panel, and select the ‘Highlighter’ tool. Select a color from the palette at the bottom.

  3. Now tap and hold your finger anywhere over the screen.

  4. You should see the screen covered with the selected color, and your photo visible beneath it!

Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

How to change Background in Insta Story - FAQs

1. Why is instagram story attractive ? What are the techniques? 

It's hard for most of us to remember Instagram before the stories feature was introduced for the first time which is actually an easy option for sharing updates and interacting with your followers without the pressure of how your instagram grid should look like. And even though there's no need to think about whether you'll get enough likes, it's still fun to experiment with different styles to make it look cool.

2. How to Change Background in Instagram Story?

You can press the Pencil icon, choose your color, and long-press in the blank area for a second or two to affix the color as your background. 

3. How do you change the background color on Instagram?

Tap on the information button at the top right corner of your screen. Under the chat settings, there you will find the Instagram Chat "Themes" button. Click on "Themes" and choose the theme you want to use.

4. How can change the background of a photo?

Click the Background tab on the right side and select "Background: Image", then select an image file to set as a background. You can adjust the size, position and scale of the background image with the handlers shown in the preview window. Once you are done, save the photo as a new file.

How do you change the background color on Instagram story with photo?

How to change the background color when sharing a new post from your feed (on iPhone + Android).
Upload your background photo..
Press on the “Pen” button..
Choose the third pen option..
Choose a color at the bottom of your screen..
Hold your finger on the screen..

How do you make your Instagram background a whole color?

To change the background color of an Instagram story, tap the draw tool in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and select a color. Next, tap and hold on the screen for 1-3 seconds. If you've shared a feed post to stories, the background will fill with your chosen color behind the post.

How do you put a blank background on your story on Instagram?

Capture a picture as you usually would, and then tap the pen icon. Select the color you want to use as a solid background. Next, long-tap on the screen for about three seconds. The image should be filled with a solid background of your color of choice.

How do I change the background color on Instagram 2022?

Step 1: Open the Instagram story screen. Step 2: On the left, tap on the create tool. Step 3: On the bottom right, tap the circle icon. Step 4: Choose a color that you'd like to use.